Adjustable automobile-holder.



L. C. NICOSON. ADJUSTABLE W'TOMOBILE HOLDER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 24' 916- Patented Dec.17,1918.

LEMUEL CLAY NIOOSO N, ALEXANDRIA, INDIANA.

man-- ADJUSTABLE AUTOMOBILE-HOLDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec; 17, 191.8.

Application filed April 24, 1916. se'riei ITO-33,239.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEM'UEL CLAY N coson, a citizen of the United States, residing at Alexandria, in the county of Madison and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Adjustable Automobile-Holder, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawingsand to the letters and figures of re' erence marked thereon.

a This invention relates to an adjustable structure that is designed to be used in "shops, garages or elsewhere for adjustably holding a vehicle, and especially an automobile or similar self-propelling vehicle having carrying wheels, to enable the workman to conveniently have access to the under portions or mechanism of the vehicle; the invention having reference more particularly to a holder that is provided with means for securing the vehicle to the holder, the holder being constructed so as to permit it to be easily rolled or turned over from its normally level position so as to turn the vehicle over on one side or the other or partially so. An object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive open-work or skeleton structure whereby a vehicle may be supported and turned or tilted so that one side shall be hi her than the other side of-the vehicle, am? which shall provide the ma.\'imum clearance space topermit workmen to conveniently get at the under parts of the vehicle, either ,for making repairs, cleaning or re-painting the vehicle. Another object is to so construct a holder of the above mentioned character as to permit the vehicle to be tilted overwithout imposingstrains on the .vehicleto which parts of the latter may not be'capable of successfully withstanding. further object is to provide a holder of the above mentioned character that shall be adaptablefor supporting the bod of the vehlcle while'the runnin gear or other parts thereof may be remover for repairs, or to; permit the workmen to have access to other parts of the vehicle. ;With the above-mentioned and other obin view, the invention consists in a novel adjustable frame for sup ortin a vehicle in convenient position to he woxied flupon. The invention consists also further 'in the novel parts and in the combinations gland arran ements of parts, as hereinafter rticular y described and further defined in accompanying claims.

Referringto the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the vehicle holder and an automobile shown b brokenlines therein; Fig. 2 is a front e ovation of the vehicle holder tilted so that a workman can conveniently haveaccess to one side and also the under parts of the vehicle, portions of the latter being shown by broken lines; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary transverse section ap r0ximately on the line A A on'Fig. 1; lg. 4 is a perspective view, artially broken away, of one of the stay-rot s employed for securing the vehicle in the holder; Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of the vehicle holder turned over on one side thereof to support a vehicle on its side, a portion of the latter being shown by broken lines; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the removable parts of the vehicle holder that is designed for firmly .holding a portion of the vehicle body safely inproper position in the vehicle holder; Fig. 7 is a fragmentary transverse section on the line B B" on Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is a top plan of the vehicle holder, partially broken away; Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section also on the line B B on Fig. 1; and, Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of an ad justablc trestle with which the vehicle holder is ]provided for supporting a portion of the veiicle or its body independently of the track rails and wheels of the vehicle.

Similar reference characters on the various figures of the drawings indicate corresponding elements or features of construction herein referred to.

On the drawi-ngs,thc numeral 1 indicates the floor or ground on which the vehicle holder is supported. The vehicleholder or cradle in which to turn the vehicle over sidewise comprises a skeleton-like frame whose members oilerthe least obstruction to workmen engagcd in repairing a vehicle therein. The frame comprises two rocker members that are spaced apart a distance approxirmitely equal to thc space'bctwecn the axles of the larger type of automobile or otherniotor vehicle, each rocker member being composed of metal, preferably T-scction iron or steel, bent. to t e required contour. One of the rocker members preferabl has a straight base portion 2 that norms ly rests upon the floor oryground 1, curved portions 3 and 4 extending outwardly and upwardly from the ends of the base portion, and straight side portions 5 and' 6 extendi from the curved portions respectively. The

ng upward other rocker member likewise has a straight base portion 7, curved portions 8 and 9 extending from the base portion and straight portions 10 and 11 extending upward from the curved portions respectively. The two rocker mem'ers are ali e in contour, both being so constructed that they may be rolled over onto either side thereof, the straight or flat base ortions thereof however, enabling the members to normally stand uprightly alone in balanced position. The rocker members of the frame suitably support two track rails on an approximately level plane and for this purpose two girders preferably are provided as parts of tie frame, one girder comprising two members 12 and 13 that are secured to the curved portions 3 and 4, the other comprising two members 14 and 15 that are secured to the curved portions 8 and 9. Two stringers which consti tute track rails 16 and 17 are suitably spaced a art and secured u on the two compound girders above descri ed. One of the rails preferably has a flange 18 upon one side portion thereof and preferably a similar flange 19 on the opposite side portion, the rail 17 having similar flanges 20 and 21 thereon. The flanges assist. to prevent the wheels of the vehicle from sliding laterally from the rails when the holder is adjusted so as to tilt the vehicle, andthey conveniently uide the'wheels when rolling on the rails. referably .the rails are provided with stop blocks 22 and 23 respectively on one' end thereof. Preferably the holder frame is trussed bv means of truss members 24 and 25 securedto the base portion 2 and extending between the girder members 12 and 13 to which they are, secured, the truss members extending upward convergently and having their upper ends secured together above the girder. The truss members have apertures 26 and 27 therein above the girder to permit stayrods to be conveniently connected with the frame of the holder. The frame is similarly trussed also by means of truss members 28 and 29 secured to the straight portion 7 of the other rocker main-- the girders,.the vehicle may be too short to permit such arrangement,jand therefore a cross-bar 30 is provided which may be built up of several pieces and is arranged under the track rails transversely thereof and so as to be adustably shifted longitudinally of the rails, t e cross-bar being provided with "hangers 31 and 32 that have .sup art upon the tops of the railflan es. -Suita 1e means is provided whereb t e stay rods hereinafter described the detachably connected to the cross-bar, t e middle portion of the masses latter preferably having two anchor plates 83 and 3-1 secured thereto, the plates having apertures 35 and 36 therein respectivel in which the stay-rods may be connected to the plates.

A plurality of stay-rods are provided, there being two for securing the forward portion and two for securing the rear ortion of the vehicle to the vehicle he der. As preferably constructed, two of the stayrods comprise screw-rods 37 and 37, each having a log 38 on one end to be inserted in either of .the apertures 26 or 27, or the apertures 35 or 36, the opposite ends of the screw-rods being connected with turnbuckles 39'ancl 39' respectively, to which screw-rods 40 and 40 are respectively connected, the screw-rods bein provided with hooks 41 and 41 respectively to be connected with different portions of the vehicle frame. The remaining two stay-rods comprise screwrods 42 and 42', having lugs 38 thereon, the screw-rods being connected with turnbuckles 43 and 43' respectively to which screw-rods 44 and 44' are respectively connected, the latter having hooks 45 and 45 thereon respectively to be connected with portions of the vehicle frame. Two of the stay-rods when connected with two truss members normally extend upward diverg'ently, each approximately in. alinement with the truss member to which it is connected, so that the two stay-rods and the two truss members constitute substantially an X-shaped brace. Suitable appliances are provided whereby the body and frame or other portions of the vehicle may be bodily supported while the wheels and axles or other parts of the vehicle may be removed, one form of ap lianoe preferably being trestle-like and pre erably comprising two standards 46 and 47 that are adjustably arranged between the membars 12 and 13 of one of the girders and ad jacent to the inner sideof the track rails 16 and 17 respectively, the-standards beingremovably secured to the girder by means of suitable devices 48 and 48', the standards having holes 49 and 49 to receive the devices respectively. The standards support a beam which is designed to bodily support either end of a vehicle frame and preferably comprises two members 50 and 51 that are removabl secured to the standards by suitable devices such as bolts 52 and 52, the upper portions of the standards referably having a plurality of holes 53 an 58' to re-. ceive'the securing devices respectively. The trestle-like appliance issuitable to be assembled'for sup orting the forward portion of the vehicle rame. Another form of applfance, that is particularly suitable forsu portmg' the rearward portion of the vehic I frame, comprises a beam which may be made of lwo members. The beam comprises a straight portion 54 on which the vehicle frame or the body may be supported, two upright side portions 55 and 56 on opposite ends respectively of the straight portion, and hanger portions 57 and 58 extending from the tops of the side portions respectively, the ends of the hanger portions being removably secured to the side portions 1i) and it of one of the rocker members by means ot'bolts 59 and ()0 respectively, the portions 9 and 10 having bolt holes 61 and 61 therein respectively to permit the beam to be adiustnbly supported at different distances from the plane of the track rails. The upper portions. of the other one of the rocker members also have bolt holes 62 and 62 respectively to receive the bolts 59 and 60, so that the supporting beam. may be secured in like manner to the other rocker member of the frame. Suitable filling blocks 63 and (33 are provided to be placed against the upright portions 55 and 56 of the beam and against the outer sides oithe vehicle frame for preventing lateral movement of the vehicle body in the holder when tilted.

For the purpose of relieving the vehicle Wheels of" torsional strains when the vel'licle is tilted, two side rails [it and 65 are provided and arranged longitudinally with spec-t to the track rails the side rails being secured to permit vertical adjustment on the rocker members. The side rails are secured at one end to the side portions 5 and '3 prel' ora'nly by means of U-bolts (i6 and i3? rcspeo tively. the opposite ends being secured to the portions it} and ll by means o'l Udlolls 38 and 69 respcctivcl Suitable block It! and 71 are fitted to the side rails and provided with logged guide plates 7'2 and 723 that slidiugly engage ihe side rails r spcrtiwiy so that the blocks may be brought to th posh tion of the outer ends of the wheel hubs, or the blrwha may be designed to be adjusted so as to have contact with other portions of the motor vvliiclm to bodily support the iatter when turned over on its side.

The. frame of the vehicle holder prefer ably is provided on one side with props Ti and T53 that are connected to the frame hf means of pivots T6 and 77 respectively, the opposite side of? the frame being lil i providml with props 7S and T9, for steadying or holding the frame in the dcsi al position. Preferably the ends of the track rails that are open for the passage of the vehicle wheels are provided with l aces 8i"! and 81 respective y that are sccarrd to the curved side portions of the adjawni rocker member. A suitable incline track or ran- Wa'y' 8'3 is provided and arranged at the braced end of the track rails for guiding the vehicle Wheels up to 01 downward from the track rails.

In practical use, the vehicle holder is placed in normal position and stripped of. impediments to the entrance of a vehicle thereto, after which an automobile or other vehicle is moved on to the track rails, preferably head first and the rear axle thereof placed over the rearward one of the frame girders, the forward axle preferably being over the other one of the girders but if such is not. possible, the cross-bacilli is shifted to bring it under the forward axle in case it is necessary to tilt the vehicle or turn it upon its side. In some cases the nmessary repairs to the vehicle may be made Without especially frame, but if it is necessary to tilt or turn over the vehicle it is securid to the holder frame by means of the securing in ool tile described and as explained or by such oi the securing devices as may be neelVhen the automobile holder is turned over, as well as when in normal position, it may be secured against accidental movement. by means of chock blocks, as would be. understood. In case. it is desired to support the body of the vehicle. thebcams 50 and fi l are placed beneath tluvehicle frame. or either beam may bc so placed. and secured to the support designed therefor, parls oi the vehicle that may be obstrlmtive being removed; or. in some cast-s the beams may be arrang. -d bove the vrhirhand sup port slings which may be conucrtial to the vehicle frame. Various expcdicnts will suggest tluanscivos as coniingonrics may arise in practice. depending upon the siZos and models oi the vehicles rwfpiiriuo to be handled. The purposes and functions ol the various parts ot the strm-lurc having been dcsrribi-d and explained h rein-lactore. the uscs thereof will be clearly understood with out further dcsl'iription.

Having thus drsrribed the invention. what is claimed as now isi. A. motor-vehicle holder including a. plu raiity oi rocl-Zor nirlnboi's. a plurality of girders secured to the ro -l cr members rc spectivcly, two track rails secured upon the girders to support the wheels of the motorvehicle, means for bodily supporting the body of the motor-vehicle in the absence of a pair ot' the Wheels and above and independently of the track rails. the supporting means iiu'xluding a. beam to engage the under side of the body and being; roniovably supported by means of the rocker members, and means for clamping the vehicle body to the beam of the supporting means.

In a vehicle-ladder. the combination of two frame members, each member lniving a bottom portion and two side portions, two track rails supported by means of the side portions respectively of the two f 'ame members, props connected pivotally with. said side portions, a side rail adjustably connor-ted to one of the side portions of each of said frame members. and a block adjustably connected with said side rail.

adjusting the vehicle in the holder.

devices here .lOll

3. In a \-'ehicle-hold er, the combination cross-bar longitudinally of the rails, the

of a frame member having a bottom portion middle portion of the cross-bar having an and two curved side portions, a girder aranchor device provided with apertures rai'iged above the bottom portion of the whereby stay-rods may be connected to the frame member and secured at its side portions, the girder having vertical 6. In a vehicle-holdeigthe combination of openings therein near its ends, track rails a rame member hav-ing a bottom portion secured upon said girder adjacent to said and two curved side portions, said member side portions respectively and having each having also two straight side portions exa longitlulinal guide flange on its to two tending from said curved portions, two standards removably inserted in the opentrack rails connected substantially with said ings in said girder adjacent to the inner curved si eportions, and a beam comprising sides of said rails respectively and adjusta straight middle portion and side portions ably supported by the girder, and a beam extending upward from the ends respecsupported by said standards. tively of the middle portion, the beam com- In a vehlcle-holder, the combination prising also two hanger portions extendof a frame member having a bottom portion mg outwardly from the side portions, said and two curved side portions, a girder aranger portions being adjustably and reranged above the bottom portion of the movably supported on said straight side porframe member and secured at its ends to the tions of the frame member.

said side portions, track rails secured upon In a motor-vehicle holder, a skeleton the said girder adjacent to said side porframe comprising two main members spaced tions respectively, truss members secured a distance apart, each member havin to the said bottom portion and extending curved supporting portions and also side upward beyond said girder, said truss memportions normally extending upwardly from, .bcrs being secured to said girder and having the curved portions, two glr ers rigid] secach an aperture therein above the girder cured to t e main members respective y at whereby to connect a stay-rod with the t e curved portions thereof, two stringers frame member, and stay-rods having hooks rigidly secured adjacent to their end porin the apertures of the truss members. tions to the two girders to support the carry- 5. In a vehicle-holder, the combination of ing wheels of the motor-vehicle, and props two frame members having curved lower pivotally connected with the curved porside portions, two girders secured to the tions of one of the main members.

curved portions of the frame members re- In testimon whereof, I afiix my sigiiKtm-e spectively, 2W0 firfick rails secired uponsaid in presence 0 two witnesses.

irders eac rai avin tvo an es thereon find a bross-bar trans ersely ar anged be LEMUEL CLAY NICOSON' death the track rails and prov ed with Witnesses:

hangers engaging the flanges of the rails Enoan J. ELLswoR'rH,

respectively to permit movement of the WALTER MAY. 

